Andy Burnham latest: Prime minister-in-waiting to pledge to be ‘unashamedly Labour’ when he becomes party leader

What policies can we expect from Andy Burnham?Andy Burnham will pledge to be “unashamedly Labour” when he takes over as Labour Party leader from Sir Keir Starmer on Friday.The newly elected Makerfield MP will be confirmed at a special conference in London at around midday, just days before he is set to become prime minister.

In a bold speech outlining his vision for the country, he will also promise to undo Margaret Thatcher’s economic legacy, warning that “Britain took a series of wrong turns in the 1980s” when “political power was centralised and economic power privatised”.Mr Burnham was confirmed as Labour’s next leader this week after he secured the backing of 349 Labour MPs and trade unions linked to the party.However, he will have to wait until Sir Keir formally recommends him to the King as his successor on Monday before he is coronated as prime minister.

Meanwhile, speculation is mounting over who Mr Burnham will choose to appoint to his Cabinet. Sources suggest Shabana Mahmood could be his pick for chancellor, but he has so far remained tight-lipped over his plans.Watch: Reeves warns Burnham ‘governing is hard’ and he must have a planReeves warns Burnham ‘governing is hard’ and he must have a planNicole Wootton-Cane17 July 2026 05:00Analysis: Andy Burnham needs both Miliband brothers in his cabinet – but there is only room for onePolitical editor David Maddox examines whether Andy Burnham will bring back one – or both – of the Miliband brothers, or whether history could repeat itself with one losing out on a top job at the expense of the other.

Burnham needs both Miliband brothers in his cabinet – but there is only room for onePolitical editor David Maddox examines whether Andy Burnham will bring back one – or both – of the Miliband brothers, or whether history could repeat itself with one losing out on a top job at the expense of the other Nicole Wootton-Cane17 July 2026 04:00Andy Burnham: I’m not afraid to disagree with Donald TrumpAndy Burnham has said he won’t be afraid to disagree with American president Donald Trump, adding that he would try to “meet him where he’s at” while “respecting the office”.The prime minister-in-waiting told Gary Lineker in an interview for Goalhanger: “Maybe in a similar way to the way I’ve just described, I’ll just meet him where he’s at. And, you know, I like to think I’ve got some personality myself and I’ll just, you know, I’ll deal with him very upfront in the same way.

I think he likes people to deal with him.“He described Manchester as some town when he was referring to my position. And I might have to, you know what Mancs are like, Gary, that won’t have gone down fantastically well in the city I used to represent.

“But yeah, you know, it’s about being yourself, isn’t it? It’s about respecting the office, the relationship, the UK-US relationship. But, you know, where you disagree, do it, but do it in a way that is kind of meeting him where he’s at.”

You can read more below:Andy Burnham: I’m not afraid to disagree with Donald TrumpBurnham’s intervention comes after Trump called Manchester ‘some town’Nicole Wootton-Cane17 July 2026 03:00Recap: Burnham unveils ‘No 10 North' Burnham unveils ‘No 10 North': The Independent reports from ManchesterNicole Wootton-Cane17 July 2026 02:00Recap: Tony Blair warns Andy Burnham ‘you are not going to be loved’ in leadership adviceSir Tony Blair has warned Andy Burnham over riding into No10 on a wave of popularity, saying he would have told himself “you may think you're going to be loved, but you're not going to be” after Labour’s 1997 landslide victory.In a frank discussion with comedian Matt Forde at the Tony Blair Institute (TBI)’s summer drinks reception at the National Theatre in London, the former prime minister also said Mr Burnham needed to maintain a strong relationship with the US “whoever is president” because of the threat of an invasion to Europe from Russia.And he warned Mr Burnham over continuing with energy secretary Ed Miliband’s net zero policies.

But arguably his biggest advice was “you are not going to be loved”.You can read the full story below:Blair warns Burnham: ‘You are not going to be loved’The former PM was talking at the Tony Blair Institute’s summer drinks in central London as Andy Burnham was effectively confirmed as Sir Keir Starmer’s replacementNicole Wootton-Cane17 July 2026 01:00Reform falsely claims Andy Burnham has not built any social housing in Manchester as mayorA Reform mayoral candidate has falsely claimed that Andy Burnham has not built any social housing in Manchester during his nine years as mayor.Sian Astley, who is standing in the race to be the next Greater Manchester to replace Mr Burnham who resigned to stand as an MP, told the Reform UK podcast on 6 July 2026: “I think there are over 20,000 households on the Manchester housing register, and they haven't built social housing for decades".

Podcast host, Ray Addison, responded, saying: "Obviously, he's been mayor of Greater Manchester for